Carpooling gets green light in Maharashtra: safety, pricing and regulation take centre stage

Private vehicle owners can now offer up to 14 carpool trips per week. Importantly, fare rates are capped based on fuel, tolls, and insurance, ensuring they remain lower than standard taxi fares.

To address widespread safety concerns, the policy mandates background verification for both drivers and passengers. It also allows women the option to choose female drivers.

Only platforms that have received government approval are authorised to offer these services. While the final list of approved apps is yet to be released, Shride, a platform familiar to many users, is expected to be part of the sanctioned group. Quick Ride, BlaBlaCar, and RYDE are likely contenders, depending on their compliance with regulatory requirements.

However, the legalisation hasn’t resolved all commuter concerns yet.

For 21-year-old Pune commuter Pramugdha Dey, safety and pricing are top priorities. “If this is meant to be an alternative to autorickshaws, then one of the first things that comes to mind is pricing. Whether there will be a standardised pricing system or not is crucial,” she said.

“Can I just enter anybody’s cab? Is there some kind of guarantee of safety, especially for women and young people?” However, she agreed that if these issues are resolved, the system could become a convenient and comfortable way to travel. “Standardised prices and better safety could not only improve accessibility but also help reduce traffic if more people start carpooling on a larger scale.”

Another commuter, Pawan Shirode, who has been using the Shride carpooling platform for over two years, feels largely unaffected by the legalisation. “Carpooling being legal now wouldn’t make a lot of difference for me,” said Pawan, who commutes 13 km daily and has faced no difficulties so far. Asked if he would try new apps, he replied, “I’ll give them a try and see how it goes, but mostly I’m okay with my situation.”

In addition, safety remains a key concern for many women. Urvi Sopal said, “Carpooling is a smart choice for daily commuters looking for a budget-friendly and comfortable ride, but sharing a car with strangers can raise safety concerns.” She stressed the importance of conducting background checks on both drivers and passengers.

Meanwhile, Ira Singh questioned the very idea of private carpooling, arguing that it resembles a taxi service more than a casual ride share. “Having a certified driver through an app is a more reliable system. If someone is going to use an app, get certified, and pick up strangers, isn’t that basically being a cab driver?” she said. “Honestly, people who want to do this kind of thing should just join Uber or Ola, because it’s practically the same thing,” she added.

Reflecting on the regulatory landscape, Sub-regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale said, “Currently, only the government resolution has come out. We are still waiting for proper guidelines on how the carpooling system will function and how it’ll work out for both commuters and drivers.”

The government decided to legalise carpooling on April 29.

While the legalisation of carpooling marks a significant step forward in urban mobility, its success will depend on effective implementation and clear regulatory frameworks. Addressing safety concerns, particularly for women, and ensuring transparency in pricing will be critical in building public trust.

As commuters begin to explore this newly sanctioned mode of transport, the coming months will reveal whether carpooling can genuinely become a mainstream, safe, and reliable option for daily travel in Mumbai and Pune.